Product Review - The Body Shop Brazil Nut Soap

 

   Product Claims: This creamy soap has a sweet and nutty scent and creates a rich lather to leave skin freshly cleansed.

- Rich lather.

- Cleanses.
- Sweet and nutty scent.

   Price: Rs. 195 /-
   Volume: 100 g.
   Shelf Life: 36 months.
   Directions: Lather up in the bath or shower. Rinse thoroughly.
   Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium Palm Kemelate, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Coconut Acid, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil, Etidronic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Cl 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Cl 77492/Iron Oxides, Cl 77491/Iron Oxides, Cl 77499/Iron Oxides.

 

   The The Body Shop Brazil Nut soap comes packaged in a translucent plastic brown wrapper. It is printed with the name of the brand and the variant as well as the weight of the soap on its front side. 

   The The Body Shop Brazil Nut soap is mildly scented with a nutty fragrance, of perhaps the Brazil Nut (Not sure of the same as I have no idea of how the Brazil Nut essence smells like), which doesn't linger for long and disappears soon after bath. Though the scent of the soap is pleasant, it is something that I would not prefer, as I personally feel more drawn towards fruity fragrances. It creates abundant creamy lather, helping it to cleanse the skin well. It is easy to rinse off and does so without leaving any oily/creamy residue on the skin. It doesn't strip the natural oils of the skin or dry it out but keeps the skin soft and supple. It refreshes the skin, keeps it oil free and also doesn't cause acne. It dissolves readily on coming in contact with water and hence has to be kept in a draining soapdish away from moisture/water when not in use. That being said, with proper storage, a single bar of soap lasts a little over a month with once daily use. Also, this soap, much like other The Body Shop products, too, is made using vegetarian fair trade and sustainable ingredients, is free from sulphates and parabens and is totally cruelty free.

   The The Body Shop Brazil Nut soap can be brought from their retail stores across the nation, subject to availability and through online shopping portals. Cost may seem a bit much for those accustomed to buying drugstore brand soaps, but becomes relatively reasonable during sales!

 

 

   Pros:

- Simple, compact, travel friendly packaging.

- Possesses a mild, nutty fragrance.

- Creates abundant creamy lather.

- Cleanses the skin well.

- Easy to rinse off.

- Doesn't leave any residue on the skin.

- Does not strip skin of its natural oils.

- Doesn't dry out the skin.

- Leaves skin feeling fresh, soft and supple.

- Keeps oiliness away.

- Doesn't cause skin eruptions.

- Lasts over a month with daily use.

- Made from vegetarian fair trade and sustainable ingredients.

- Cruelty free.

- Free from sulphates and parabens.

- Easily available across the nation through online portals as well as The Body Shop stores.

   Cons:

- The creamy texture is very prone to quick dissolution.

- Cost may sting a few pockets.

   Verdict: 4.25/5. Apart from my personal preference for fruity varieties and the bit high price, I couldn't find anything else not going in the The Body Shop Brazil Nut soap's favor warrantying a repurchase of the same!

Product Review - Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser

   Achieving and maintaining good healthy skin certainly takes efforts and help of quality skincare products, and cleansers form the most basic group for the same. I've been trying out the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser since the last couple of months on myself. Below is an in depth, detailed review of the same.

   Product Claims: This mild cleanser is specially formulated with a sugar-derived glycoside foaming agent to thoroughly cleanse skin and remove makeup, without over-drying or stripping skin of its natural oils. With effective emollients Squalene, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E, and Avocado Oil, our gentle formula dissolves excess oil, dirt and debris. pH- balanced to maintain skin's natural balance. Tested for safety and gentleness.

   Price: Rs. 895/-
   Volume: 75 ml.

   Shelf Life: 36 months.

   Directions: Apply a small amount to clean fingertips and gently massage into damp facial areas in upward, circular motions, avoiding the immediate eye area. Rinse thoroughly or assure removal of cleanser residue with a damp wash cloth.
   Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Distearyl Ether, Behenyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Laureth-2, Propylparaben, Sodium Methylparaben, Squalene, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil/Sweet Almond Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Persea Gratissima Oil/Avocado Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid Fmla 685386/25 Code F.I.L.: D31958/1.

 

   The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser comes packaged as a collapsible white tube provided with a flip cap. The packaging is simple, compact, leak proof and sturdy. It is printed with the name of the brand and product on its front side along with the product claims, net volume provided and a few manufacturing details. Details about suitability according skin type and directions for use have been mentioned in English on the front side, whereas the same has been mentioned in various other languages along with the list of ingredients on the tube's backside. It also comes stuck with multiple (3) information stickers printed with net content, price, month of manufacturing and import, shelf life, contact details for consumer complaints and queries, batch number and more.

   The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleaner has a thick, gel like consistency and is hazy whitish in color. Though I am not able to put a finger on exact substance that the gel smells like, it somehow reminds me of being underwater or in pools. It isn't the most likeable of the fragrances, but being very faint and mild, is something that I can easily ignore. A small drop of the face wash is more than enough to cleanse the face well, lathering sufficiently and easily getting rid of dirt, oiliness and makeup from the facial skin. It leaves a oily residue on the skin which takes a few extra seconds to get rid of, but a single wash ensures skin which feels fresh. The cleanser is mild, and does not strip the skin's natural oils but at times leaves tiny patches of skin dry, especially in winter. It keeps skin oil free for couple of hours, makes skin soft and keeps eruption of acne in check with continued use. Another downside is the fact that the cleanser contains sulphates and parabens amongst its chief ingredients.

   The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser is easily available across the nation for purchase, through their stores, select chemists and also through online retail sites though, at Rs. 895/- for a 75 ml tube, it is definitely priced much more than I or most other people would ever consider paying for a facial cleanser.

 

   Pros:
- Simple, sturdy and travel friendly packaging.
- Formula has a thick, gel like consistency.
- Small quantity is enough for thorough cleansing.
- Lathers well.
- Cleanses oiliness, dirt and makeup off the face well.
- Leaves the skin feeling refreshed with a subtle glow.
- Does not strip the skin off its natural oils.
- Keeps skin oil free for good couple of hours.
- Helps in keeping skin soft and acne free with continued use.
- Easily available across all Kiehl's outlets, a few select chemists and online retail sites.

   Cons:
- Smells similar to chlorinated pool water.
- Takes time to rinse off the oily residue the cleanser leaves on the skin.
- A bit drying on my combination type skin.
- Contains sulphates, parabens and many more chemical additives.
- Costs a bomb when compared to other cleansers in the market.

   Verdict: 4/5. Despite its high price, the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser cleanses the skin thoroughly, keeps oiliness away and acne in check, making it worth a try or two!

Product Review - Oriflame The One Long Wear Nail Polish in Cappuccino - 30534

 

 
   Our hands are one of the things that people notice the first about us but are often amongst the most neglected parts of our body. Grooming our hands is important as it reflects to others the attention we pay to detail. To do the same, I usually keep my finger nails well in shape and painted with a subtle colored nail enamel. I have been favoring the Oriflame The One Long Wear Nail Polish in Cappuccino - 30534 since the last few weeks, a shade perfect for work as well as parties alike! Below is a detailed review with swatches of the same.

   Product Claims: Long-lasting high coverage nail polish in the latest shades. With Expert Gel Technology for even coverage and chip and fade resistant colour. High Definition Wide Brush for accurate application.

   Price: Rs. 299/-
   Volume: 8 ml.
   Shelf Life: 30 months.
   Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/ Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Mica, Acrylate Copolymer, Stearalkonium Bentonite, N-Butyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Calcium Aluminium Borosilicate, Silica, Benzophenone-1, Diacetone Alcohol, Quartz, Tin Oxide, CI 77891, CI 15850, CI 77000, CI 15880, CI 77742, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77163, CI 77510, CI 19140.

   The Oriflame The One Long Wear Nail Polish comes packaged as a see through, transparent cylindrical glass bottle with a grey colored plastic screw cap. The packaging is simple, sturdy and travel friendly. It is provided with a soft, pliable applicator brush which is flat from side to side and is rounded at its end, which makes application of the enamel more controlled, easy and mistake free. The container bottle is stuck with a transparent sticker printed with the name of the product on its front side, while a grey sticker on its back side is printed with the brand name, the specific color code and name, net volume provided, month of manufacturing and expiry, some caution signs and manufacturing details.
   The shade Cappuccino 30534 is a nude, light brownish pink shade with grey undertones in it.
   The nail enamel formula has the perfect fluid consistency, ans isn't clumpy nor too runny. It dries quickly on application, and gives colored opaque nails with two coats of the nail enamel. It does not settle into streaks or lines and gives a smooth and shiny finish to the nails. A double coat of the enamel, without a top coat stays on my nails easily for 3 - 4 days after which it starts showing signs of tip wear. The formula is easy to get rid of with use of nail enamel removers and does not leave behind any residual stain on the nails after doing so. Also, these enamels are available in a variety of shades, each more beautiful than the other!
   These Oriflame The One Long Wear Nail Polishes are easily available across the country, through Oriflame consultants as well as online shopping sites, their only pitfall being their high price.

 

   Pros:

- Simple, sturdy packaging.

- Easy to use, pliable flat brush applicator.

- A perfect liquid consistency.

- Quick dry formula.

- Two coats give perfectly colored opaque nails.

- Does not cause streaking of colors.

- Gives a smooth and shiny finish to the nails.

- Good staying power.

- Easy to remove using nail enamel removers.

- Does not leave a residual stain on nails.

- Availability in different shades.

- Easily available through Oriflame consultants and online retail sites.

   Cons:

- Price is on the higher side.

   Verdict: 4.5/5. The Oriflame The One Long Wear Nail Polishes are available in beautiful shades, have a long stay formula and provide a smooth and shiny finish. When a product delivers so much, isn't all that one can do is just absolutely adore it?